Liquid removing machine



April 14, 1970 E. w. KEIL LIQUID REMovING MACHINE Original Filed Nov.14, -1965 RN N ATTOR NEY Patented Apr. 14, 1970 3,505,701 LIQUID REMVINGMACHINE Edward W. Keil, Manchester, Mo., assignor to Total SystemsConcept, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 594,034, Nov.. 14, 1966. This application July 12,1968, Ser. No. 751,664 Int. Cl. F26b 13/14 U.S. Cl. 15-102 2 ClaimsABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A machine adapted for removing liquid fromsheet material for substantial drying thereof incorporating a pair ofvertically aligned, cooperating rollers formed oi resilient material,each roller having oil tanned leather disposed about its peripheralsurface for contacting the material to be treated to remove moisturecontained on and in such material, there being means for continuouslysupplying liquid to the surface of said leather for enhancing theabsorptive qualities thereof.

This is a continuation of application Ser No. 594,034, filed Nov. 14,1966, for a liquid removing machine and now abandoned.

This invention relates in general to apparatus for drying materials and,more particularly, to a machine for the elfective removal of liquid fromsheet material, as received thereon from rinsing or other treatingoperations.

Heretofore, numerous expedients have been attempted for the purpose ofsubstantially drying, or of liquid re moval from, sheet material whichhas been previously subjected to wetting action as by treatment bathslAmong such expedients has `been the subjection of the sheet material topressure between heated surfaces, or between surfaces, such as rolls,having inadequate absorbent coverings. Such coverings have includedfabric having a piled surface, as velours and felt; cotton cloth;rubberized material; and the like. However, none of these efforts haveproven successful with economic moisture withdrawl, so that the objectto be dried must be subjected to a further operation as, for example, arelatively lengthy oven treatment.

The inadequacy of heretofore known means for liquid removal of materialshas been particularly manifested with respect to treating plastic sheetmaterial, as of the rigid type, such as bases for printed circuits made,for example, from paperJbased phenolics, glass cloth, reinforcedepoxies, laminated phenolics, etc., including metal clad laminates, suchas, particularly, those having copper applied thereon as completedprinted circuits, as well as exible materials, as, for instance utilizedin photographic films and the like. Such materials are ordinarilysubjected to water rinsing baths and the problem of rapid drying of thesurfaces thereof is one of great criticality since the speed ofproduction is dependent thereon. With copper clad laminates failure toeffect complete, rapid drying has conduced to the undersira'ble resultof the oxidation of the copper.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machinefor effecting substantial liquid removal from the surfaces of sheetmaterial.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine ofthe character stated `which incorporates a novel liquid withdrawingexpedient comprising a relatively loosely interwoven animal skin orskin-simulative material which has proven in practice to have thecapacity for withdrawing all but a most limited amount of liquid on acontacted surface, such remaining amount being in the order ofapproximately 2% or less.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dryingapparatus of the type stated which may be easily interjected into anassembly line operation for automatic action thereby obviating thecostly services of operating personnel and which brings about markedeconomies in overall production.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide adrying apparatus which is most economically manufactured; whichcomprises a marked simplicity of parts, being devoid 0f any intricatecomplex components, so as to be resistant to breakdown; and which is,therefore, reliable and durable in usage.

Other objects and details of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing (one sheet) wherein- FIGURE l is a top plan view of a liquidremoving machine constructed in accordance with and embodying thepresent invention.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view taken on line 2-2of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 3 3 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view taken on line 4-4of FIGURE l.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawing which illustratesthe preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generallydesignates a liquid removing machine which essentially comprises threefundamental components, namely, a feed conveyor 1, a liquidremovingsection 2, and a discharge conveyor 3. By ymeans presently to bedescribed, the aforesaid cornponents integrate into a synchronized unitfor effecting rapid travel of liquidladen sheet material to, andthrough, liquid removing section 2 for delivery of same therefrom tosubsequent treatment units in the particular assembly line.

Said feed and discharge conveyor sections 1, 3 being symmetrical, are oflike construction, as each embodies a frame 4 comprising a pair ofspaced-apart, elongated, parallel side members 5, 6 each having topflanges 5', 6', respectively. Journaled at their ends within said sidemembers 5, 6 is a plurality of friction rollers 7, there being arelatively narrow, endless belt 8 extending about the central portion ofsaid rollers 7 for frictionally transmitting motion thereto through therotation of a drive roller 9 about which one end portion of said belt 8is trained. The drive roller 9 of each conveyor 1, 3 is carried on ashaft 10 which is journaled at its ends within bearings 11, 11'supported on side plates 12, 12', respectively, which plates aresuitably interengaged with the frames 4 of each conveyor 1, 3 and arelocated laterally outwardly and intermediate the same. Inwardly of therelated bearings 11', each shaft 10 mounts a sprocket 13 about which isengaged one end of a drive chain 14, the other end portion of whichengages a sprocket 15 carried on the shaft 16 of the respectivelyimmediately adjacent one of a pair of drying rollers 17, 18. Shafts 16,which are axially parallel to friction rollers 7, are journaled inbearings 19, 19' mounted on side plates 12, 12', respectively.

Shafts 16 are operatively interconnected by a drive chain 20 which, inits upper portion, engages sprockets 21 xed on each shaft 16 and in itslower portion is suitably engaged to the drive shaft 22 of a prime moverM (FIGURE 3).

Upon energization of prime mover M, `by means of the motion transmittingsystem above described, said shafts 16 will be caused to rotate in aclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 whereby drive chains 14 willcause shafts 10, mounting drive rollers 9, to rotate similarly in aclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 2,

so that the endless belt 8 of each conveyor section 1, 3 will move inthe same direction (as shown by arrows in FIGURE l) resulting infriction rollers 7 of conveyor 1 causing delivery of sheet materialthereon to liquid removing section 2, and in ythe friction rollers 7 ofdischarge conveyor 3 moving the treated material rapidly away from thesaid liquid removing section 2.

Each roller 17, 18, is surrounded throughout its peripheral surface witha liquid receiving material or covering c which may be adhered to theroller surface by requisite cementitious agents. The peculiar nature ofcovering c which is critical to the operation of machine A, will bedescribed more fully hereinbelow. Provided for cooperation with each ofsaid rollers 17, 18 is a companion roller 23, 24, respectively, of likediameter and axial extent; said rollers 23, 24 being disposed invertically aligned, axially parallel relationship with the relatedrollers 17, 18, respectively. Each of said rollers 23, 24 is mountedupon a shaft 23', 24', respectively, which shafts 23', 24 are journaledat their ends in blocks 25. Said yblocks 25 are mounted for verticalslideable movement within slideways (not shown) formed in frame elements26, 26 which are supported by brackets 27 engaged upon the inner endportion of flanges 5', 6 of side members 5, 6 of frames 4. Adjustmentscrews 28 are associated with each block 25 for controlling lthevertical disposition of same within such slideways, in a manner wellknown. Each of said rollers 23, 24 is similarly encased in a covering c.

Although in the drawing rollers 17, 18 are illustrated as being ofslightly increased diameter relative to drive rollers 9, it is to berecognized that the peripheral speed of said rollers 17, 18 must be thesame as that of rollers 9 so that suitable motion transmitting means, ofconventional character, must be utilized for effecting suchrelationship. Obviously, this aim could as easily be accomplished bymaking drive rollers 9 of the same diameter as rollers 17, 18.

The body of each of said rollers 17, 18, 23, 24 are constituted ofpreferably material of limited resiliency, such as, desirably rubberhaving a durometer hardness of 60 to 70. The character and operation ofrollers 17, 18, 23, 24 will be more fully described hereinbelow.

Presented upwardly of each roller 23, 24 is a liquid discharge device 29connected to a source of liquid (not shown), said device being, forexample, a pipe 29 having a plurality of spaced-apart orifices 3:04 foremission of the liquid, preferably the same as that being removed fromthe work, for continuous wetting of covering c of rollers 23, 24 forpurposes presently to be described.

Covering c, which encases the resilient underlying body of dryingrollers 17, 18 and 23, 24 is constituted of oil tanned leather as bestexemplified by leathers formed from the flesh layers of goat and sheepskins. The sheep, goat, or lamb skins, for example, after beingsubjected to the customary preparatory treatment are split forseparating the grain from the flesh layer, which is the inner side ofthe skin. Such esh layer is t-hen tanned or preserved by the use ofcertain drying oils, for example, cod oil, linseed oil, and other wellknown oils which are worked into the skins and allowed to oxidize andreact, thus becoming fixed. Probably the foremost type of leather soformed is that well known as chamois. After the oil-tanning process iscompleted, the leather, such as chamois is washed with warm alkalizedwater and hydraulically pressed to remove excess oil. Further washing,buing and drying complete the requisite steps. Leathers so formed and,particularly chamois, have demonstrated an unusual capacity for liquidabsorption and to such an extent that sheet materials presented to theso covered drying rollers of the present invention do not requiresubsequent drying treatment, as for instance, by subjection to la dryingoven. The affinity of covering c for moisture is not entirely understoodalthough it appears conceivable that the particular peculiar texture ofsuch leathers may be one of the reasons therefore in that the fibers areextremely thin and not closely interwoven, tending to run parallel tothe skin surface which makes for looseness of texture. It has beendiscovered that when covering c is in a damp or moistured state, itscapacity for absorbing liquid is greater than when in a completely dryor saturated condition. This phenomenon suggests that this usualcapability results from enhanced capillary attraction. In view of thisparticular property, liquid will be continuously discharged fromorifices 30 of liquid discharge device 29 to maintain covering c ofrollers 23, 24 in a moistened state; such liquid being easilytransferred from rollers 23, 24 to their cooperating rollers 17, 18. Aswill be shown hereinbelow, only one set of rollers, either 17, 23 or 18,24, are utilized at one time so that liquid discharge device 29 will Ibedirected so that the momentarily active rollers 23, 24 will be subjectedto wetting action.

In actual usage, only one set of drying rollers, either 17, 23 or 18, 24is necessary for liquid removal. The presentation of two sets of rollersis designed to convey the desirability of having a reserve set availableso that if one set of rollers become damaged or worn, the same may beseparated so that sheet material may vbe delivered to the other set ofrollers without loss of time. Thus, it is to be noted that only one setof drying rollers is necessary.

In operation, the rollers of the presently effective set, whether 17, 23or 18, 24, are in contact at all times, as indicated at m and being ofpredetermined pressure so that the contacting areas will be subjectedtomutual wringing action causing removal of excess liquid from thecontacting coverings c with such liquid flowing relatively rearwardly inthe direction of the ingress side, as indicated at i, of said rollerswith the exit side, as indicated at e, being moist or damp. The pressureapplied to said cooperating rollers may be effected in any desiredmanner in accordance with known tec-hniques, such as, for instance, bysuitable tightening of screws 28 or by the use of coil springs forurging the upper rollers downwardly, or by pneumatic pressure, such asthrough the interposition of pneumatic cylinders. But it is apparentthat the mutual contacting of the cooperating rollers is critical forthe effective operation of the present invention to make certain thatcoverings c are maintained in a moistened condition for maximum removalof liquid from the work w presented thereto.

It is apparent that the thickness of the cooperating rollers, as well asthe amount of pressure applied thereon, are factors to -be determined bythe thickness of the work w to be presented for liquid removal. With thework w, as at material, the cooperating rollers will necessarily becaused to give so as to allow the work to pass therebetween. Thus, theresiliency of the rubber of the body of said rollers, as well aspressure supplying force, whether it be springs, pneumatic in nature, orthe like, must be taken into account so as to accommodate the particularthickness of work w and yet allow for maximum effective liquid removal.As an example only, with work w ranging from the thickness of a film to1/s inch, as in plastic sheets, the cooperating rollers may have adiameter of approximately 2% inches, which thickness will be adequate toprovide the necessary yieldability as with rubber of 60 to 70 durometerhardness to allow for passage of the work w therebetween. With wo-rk wof greater thickness, it is apparent that rollers of relativelyincreased diameter would have to be utilized and with suitable meansbeing presented so that the work would not be caused to assume adifficult angle in presentation to the rollers. Accordingly, with work wof the thickness above specified, namely, with lm to 1A; inch, theresiliency of t-he material of the rollers will be adequate foraccommodation purposes. However, with thicker work, the yieldability ofthe pressure providing means must necessarily assist in according thenecessary resiliency for movement of the work w between said rollers.

Thus, liquid laden sheet material is delivered by the conveyor sectionto the operating set of drying rollers. As the sheet material movesthrough the ingress side of said rollers, it will be subjected to asqueegee action by said rollers which thus will tend to brush or sweepliquid on said material relatively rearwardly thereof. As the materialmoves into the exit side of said rollers, it will be subjected to anabsorbing action with liquid thereon being drawn from the material bythe moistened portions of the rollers coverings c. Thus, said rollerscause a sequential squeegee and wringing action upon the sheet materialwhich, in practice, has been shown to be freed of between 98 and 99percent of the liquid upon its surfaces. This substantial dryingobviates the need for any further drying treatment for the sheetmaterial since the limited (approximately 1%) remaining, minor amount isso evenly and finely spread across such surfaces that the same willevaporate in the ambient atmosphere.

The present invention has been found markedly eflicient in the drying ofrigid plates as formed from various types of resins used as bases forprinted circuits. Prior to the present invention there has been aserious problem in the industry for the drying of such plates after theyhave been subjected to a rinsing bath. Elongated drying ovens of theinfra-red type have been used for this purpose but at substantialexpense, both in time and money, and without consistent results. Suchplates normally are -provided with a plurality of openings in which suchliquid tends to collect. The withdrawal of such liquid has also provedquite difficult with devices heretofore used. However, the presentinvention has proved readily adapted for Withdrawal of liquid, both fromthe exposed surfaces, as well as from the openings.

The machine of the present invention conduces to high speed, rapiddrying of sheet materials of all types, whether rigid, semi-rigid, orfully exible, with attendant economies in production. It is obvious thatmachines of the type herein described may be readily integrated intoexisting assembly lines without requiring costly modifications orexpenditures. Furthermore, the critical nature of covering c hasobviated the necessity of complex equipment which has not performed tothe requisite extent, far from approaching that achieved by thisinvention. It is recognized that with present day technology, it isconceivable that synthetic or artificial leathers may be developedhaving properties corresponding to those of the oiled tanned leather,such as chamois, and such are definitely contemplated Within the scopeof the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for liquid removal from sheet material comprising a frame,a pair of rollers mounted on said frame, said rollers being invertically aligned, axially parallel relationship, means for feedingliquid laden sheet material for drying to said rollers, means foreffecting rotation of said rollers in the same direction as thedirection of feed of said feeding means, means for receiving the nowdried sheet material from said rollers after passage therethrough, anoil tanned leather being formed from the flesh layers of animal skinswherein the fibers of such leathers are relatively thin, tending to runparallel to the skin surface and not being closely interwoven,coveringly disposed about the peripheral surface of each of saidrollers, said rollers being fabricated from resilient material having adurometer hardness in the range of to 70, pressure exerting means forurging said rollers into mutual contactive relationship so as to presentsaid leather coverings into forceful engagement with each other whensaid machine is inoperative and with opposite sides of sheet materialfed therebetween when said machine is operative, whereby said sheetmaterial in the initial portion of its pass between said rollers will besubjected to a squeegee action and during the latter portion of its passtherebetween will be subjected to a moisture absorbing action by saidleather coverings, said rollers being fabricated of material havingadequate yieldability so as to permit passage of the work therebetween,and means for continuously delivering liquid to the surface of said oiltanned leather covering the surfaces of each of said rollers forenhancing the absorptive character thereof.

2. A machine for liquid removal from sheet material as defined in claim1 and further characterized by said oil tanned leather being chamois.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 352,986 11/1886 Wakely 15-102582,952 5/1897 Roberts 15-4 1,199,424 9/1916 Robinson 15-100 1,487,3753/1924 Fuchs 15-100 1,607,417 11/1926 Wescott 15-100 2,142,538 1/1939Tondreau 15-100y H WALTER A. sonni-:1., Primary Examiner L. G. MACHLIN,Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

29-132; 34--12l; 68-262; 1GO-121

